Pep Guardiola Confesses Man City Will Face Tough Time When 'Irreplaceable' Sergio Aguero Leaves

​Pep Guardiola has insisted that Sergio Aguero is 'irreplaceable' and finding the successor to the Argentine will be one of his and Manchester City's biggest challenges moving forward.

The striker is entering the final 18 months of his City deal and it looks unlikely that the club's all-time record goalscorer will stay beyond that deal, although discussions are yet to take place regarding an extension.

Enorme partido! Orgulloso de ser parte de este equipo. Feliz por el regreso y muchas gracias a todos en el Etihad por tanto apoyo//What a match! Very proud of being part of this team. Happy to be back and thank you all at Etihad for so much support. pic.twitter.com/FjpwvK5WAj

— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) December 21, 2019

​Aguero has scored at least 20 league goals in his last five seasons at the club, repeatedly finding himself there or thereabouts in terms of the division's highest scorers. 

His longevity and consistency in the ​Premier League and Europe has remained in tact throughout Guardiola's reign as well, becoming the club's record goalscorer when he netted his 178th ​City goal in November 2017.

Injury has halted his season slightly this term, but the 31-year-old still has nine goals in the top-flight in what what looks to set to be another prolific campaign. Unwavering in his praise, Guardiola said he is a player that may never be adequately replaced.

"Sergio is irreplaceable," the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by the ​Mail. "We have another incredible striker in Gabriel Jesus and maybe another one will come when Sergio leaves but he is irreplaceable. I'm sure the club will be ready to try to find the guy to replace him but of course it will not be easy.

"The most important moment of this club — more important than when this club hopefully wins the Champions League — is when Sergio scored that goal against QPR (to win the 2012 Premier League title). That moment is much better than four titles in one season and he was the guy."

Despite his importance to the club, Guardiola is known to make high-profile decisions for certain matches, with Aguero sometimes consigned to a role on the bench for tactical reasons. Those decisions can cause unrest with players, but the Spanish tactician insisted that the forward is understanding when those calls are made.

"It is a joy to work with him and how he accepts my decisions when it sometimes doesn't work for him," Guardiola added. "Big stars don't usually accept that. It's not easy to find a guy with his status, his personality, what he's done in his career and accepting everything perfectly."

Source : 90min